Best celebrity experiences....
Discussion
Andi Peters, former CBBC presenter from my era of childhood and now TV producer/presenter.
Bumped into him in an M&S queue in Kew, he was a very pleasant chap when I had a quick chat with him.
I then bumped into him again on a flight from Manchester back to Heathrow, with my boss, who said "oh dear, that's Andi Peters, he complained to BA once about how dirty his seat was on a flight, that we were supposed to have cleaned"
But I then stood next to him on the transfer bus, and I clearly did a face which indicated I recognised him, brief chat, no nonsense, still a nice guy. Didn't remind him of our time in Kew, think that would have been a bit stalker-ish.
Also I had the pleasure of meeting artist Sir Peter Blake through work, he had been commissioned to produce some artwork for Gatwick Airport and when the unveiling ceremony came, being as he was 80+ years old I was on hand to assist him with a wheelchair to the place for the opening. Really pleasant man to deal with, no ego on him at all though I'm not sure he is entirely a "celebrity" in that sense.
Bumped into him in an M&S queue in Kew, he was a very pleasant chap when I had a quick chat with him.
I then bumped into him again on a flight from Manchester back to Heathrow, with my boss, who said "oh dear, that's Andi Peters, he complained to BA once about how dirty his seat was on a flight, that we were supposed to have cleaned"
But I then stood next to him on the transfer bus, and I clearly did a face which indicated I recognised him, brief chat, no nonsense, still a nice guy. Didn't remind him of our time in Kew, think that would have been a bit stalker-ish.
Also I had the pleasure of meeting artist Sir Peter Blake through work, he had been commissioned to produce some artwork for Gatwick Airport and when the unveiling ceremony came, being as he was 80+ years old I was on hand to assist him with a wheelchair to the place for the opening. Really pleasant man to deal with, no ego on him at all though I'm not sure he is entirely a "celebrity" in that sense.
Saw an ad in the local rag that darts legend Eric Bristow was opening a local betting shop and you could come down and take him on.
I’m not into gambling or darts really but Bristow was a huge name when I was growing up and I went to the shop.
Sure enough he was there, asked who wanted first go.
Up I went, 301. I threw first and hit I hit I think 37. He threw hit 20 so for a moment I was ahead.
Then he cranked it up and checked out.
He was a top guy, funny, banter, told stories let every one have a pic. Much respect to Eric.
I’m not into gambling or darts really but Bristow was a huge name when I was growing up and I went to the shop.
Sure enough he was there, asked who wanted first go.
Up I went, 301. I threw first and hit I hit I think 37. He threw hit 20 so for a moment I was ahead.
Then he cranked it up and checked out.
He was a top guy, funny, banter, told stories let every one have a pic. Much respect to Eric.
With an ex I was invited to a Shindig at "Uncle Roy's house".
I was warmly welcomed at the door by Roy Chubby Brown.
He was an absolute gent, great host, well spoken , intelligent and treated his wife with the upmost respect and much to my surprise was a very accomplished classical piano player.
I was warmly welcomed at the door by Roy Chubby Brown.
He was an absolute gent, great host, well spoken , intelligent and treated his wife with the upmost respect and much to my surprise was a very accomplished classical piano player.
Nanook said:
A mate and I met Ariv Vatanen on the day of Colin McRae's funeral.
We were in traffic in Glasgow, and he asked us for directions to a particular hotel.
My mate (who was driving) told him to follow us, and we showed him the way.
It was the day of his friend and former team mates funeral, he came over to say thanks, and we were going to leave, but when he realised we knew who he was, he insisted on us parking and getting out for a chat, a picture, and he went rummaging about in his suitcase for some little cards from when he done a milk commercial many years ago, to sign for us.
We didn't ask for any of it, and were expecting him to bail straight to his hotel room, but he was very friendly and kind on what must have been a s
t day for him.
Top guy.
Don't have any stories to add - but just to elaborate that this just confirms in my view that he was the infinitely batter candidate for the FIA presidency than Jean Todt.We were in traffic in Glasgow, and he asked us for directions to a particular hotel.
My mate (who was driving) told him to follow us, and we showed him the way.
It was the day of his friend and former team mates funeral, he came over to say thanks, and we were going to leave, but when he realised we knew who he was, he insisted on us parking and getting out for a chat, a picture, and he went rummaging about in his suitcase for some little cards from when he done a milk commercial many years ago, to sign for us.
We didn't ask for any of it, and were expecting him to bail straight to his hotel room, but he was very friendly and kind on what must have been a s
t day for him.Top guy.
In 1974 I was catching the London train from Crewe station.
It was very crowded; I found myself in a last-minute rush for the one remaining seat beside a tall, good-looking man with collar-length hair, it was the seventies; buckaroo!
I looked up and saw it was none other than Peter Purves, it was the height of his Blue Peter career. He said, "You jammy bd" and quick as a flash, I replied, "Don't be blue, Peter!" Needless to say, I had the last laugh.
Nice bloke though.
It was very crowded; I found myself in a last-minute rush for the one remaining seat beside a tall, good-looking man with collar-length hair, it was the seventies; buckaroo!
I looked up and saw it was none other than Peter Purves, it was the height of his Blue Peter career. He said, "You jammy b
d" and quick as a flash, I replied, "Don't be blue, Peter!" Needless to say, I had the last laugh.Nice bloke though.
Rawwr said:
Casey Stoner. Often seen as the miserable, grumpy Australian of the MotoGP paddock. The reality was a really considered, polite and incredibly humble guy. Nicky Hayden, also really polite, humble and happy to take the time to talk.
I too have met Casey and I can only echo what you said. He's a good, down to earth gut that can ride a motorbike pretty quickly! My most memorable was playing football with Bobby Charlton years ago. I won a competition at school to do it. I remember my mum and dad chatting to him and saying he was a really nice guy.
I used to race karts with chaz Davies too. He's a good lad, I used to beat him all the time too.
I passed Murray Walker on the stairs to the press room at Silverstone many years ago. I simply said "Hi Murray" as we passed and he cheerily responded with a "Hello", even though he had no idea who I was. Not exactly a lengthy conversation, but shows he's a nice chap. He must get hundreds of greetings from people he's never met, so he could be forgiven for blanking a few on a busy day.
I also spoke briefly with Kris Akabusi at a financial services conference - we were both backstage waiting to speak to the conference. It was by far and away the biggest audience I'd ever spoken to (1,000+), so I was quite nervous. Kris was seated and reading a book, so I asked him if he ever got nervous before speaking - he said "sure, I'm crapping myself - reading a book is just my way of keeping calm....". When I twigged that the effervescent Kris Akabusi could be nervous about speaking, all of a sudden, I wasn't so bothered myself.
I also spoke briefly with Kris Akabusi at a financial services conference - we were both backstage waiting to speak to the conference. It was by far and away the biggest audience I'd ever spoken to (1,000+), so I was quite nervous. Kris was seated and reading a book, so I asked him if he ever got nervous before speaking - he said "sure, I'm crapping myself - reading a book is just my way of keeping calm....". When I twigged that the effervescent Kris Akabusi could be nervous about speaking, all of a sudden, I wasn't so bothered myself.
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